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Accordingly, in the engagement, they behaved with the most determined
courage. The remembrance of what their wives and children had represented to
them at their departure served to exalt their bravery; in a full persuasion,
that this was the last opportunity they should have of exerting themselves
in defence of their country; and that if they fell in the engagement, their
fellow-citizens could not long survive them, as their fate must be the same
upon the taking of the town. Our ships being at some distance from each
other, both gave the enemy's pilots an opportunity of showing their address
in working their vessels, and flying to the assistance of their friends,
when they were laid hold on by our grappling hooks. And indeed, when it came
to a close fight, they seconded the mountaineers with wonderful resolution,
and, in bravery, seemed to yield but little to our men. At the same time, a
great quantity of darts, poured incessantly from their smaller frigates,
wounded a great many of our rowers, and such of the soldiers as were without
shelter. Two of their galleys fell upon that of Brutus, which was easily
distinguished by its flag; but though they attacked him on both sides, he
extricated himself with such agility and address, as in a short time to get
a little before; which made them run foul of each other so violently, that
they were both considerably shattered; one in particular had its beak
broken, and was in a manner totally crushed; which being observed by those
of our fleet that lay nearest, they suddenly fell upon and sunk them, before
they could recover out of their disorder.

C. Julius Caesar. The Commentaries of Caesar. William Duncan. St. Louis. Edwards and Bushnell. 1856.

The chapter breaks in this translation have been changed to align with those in the 1901 Latin edition of the De Bello Civili, ed. Renatus du Pontet.

This text was converted to electronic form by optical character recognition and has been proofread to a medium level of accuracy.

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